Attire & Accessories Forum

Bridesmaid dress snafu

So, one of my bridesmaids had a problem with her dress. It was about 3 sizes too big. If she did not hold the dress up, it would fall off her.

My aunt is graciously altering the  other bridesmaids' dresses for free (and their dresses are not that big), but this much altering was too much for her.

I called the store where we bought the dress to see what we could do. They told me that they could not do anything to help me, and it wasn't their fault. My maid and I went into the store to show the store manager that there was obviously somehting wrong.

The manager and her assistant saw my friend put on her dress, have it fall off, and stared for a minute. Then they went into an office talk it over.

When they came back, they measured again, consulted size cahrts, and figured that the manufacturer must have screed up the sizing, or sent the wrong size dress. Then they offered to do the alteration for $70.

I asked if they could do it for free, and they gave me attitude about how $70 was a bargain for that much work. I told them I would have paid nothing if the dress fit, since my aunt would do it. I had to debate for a good 15 minutes about how they should do it for free, since they have the relationship with the distributor/manufacturer etc, and I gave them my business.

Eventually, they said they would alter the dress for free. I thanked them, and told them how much I appreciated their decision.

Was I in the wrong? I understand that the dress store had no way of knowing the manufacturer sent the wrong size, but my best friend spent a bit on money on a dress that did not fit at all. And call me crazy, but I always thought that helping the customer was important for a retail business.

Did anyone else have a similar situation? How did you handle it? (Sorry for the wall of text!)

Re: Bridesmaid dress snafu

  • I think what you did was fine. I don't see why (other than time issues) they didn't just re-order, on rush, the dress in the correct size. 
    I wouldn't stress. 
    Praying for a miracle!
  • You weren't in the wrong, but I wouldn't blame them for initially giving you a cost. 1) It's their job to upsell (have you ever been to Jiffy Lube!) and 2) It wasn't technically their fault for the manufacturer's slip-up. Hopefully you got their names! Were they totally rude about it?

    You are right, helping a customer is very important for a retail business. Once the dress is altered, I'd send a thank you card and write a good online review about how they were accomodating after their manufacturer screwed up. Reviews can be worth their virtual weight in gold.  BUT, if they WERE totally rude, I'd skip the ty and review.
     Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_bridesmaid-dress-snafu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:9d08fa97-3089-49ee-a404-4f77ddf22fb1Post:d8f6621e-bbb5-48d2-aaed-3f9d4d30e01e">Re: Bridesmaid dress snafu</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think what you did was fine. I don't see why (other than time issues) they didn't just re-order, on rush, the dress in the correct size.  I wouldn't stress. 
    Posted by mandi195[/QUOTE]

    The dresses took about 4 months to come in, and it was just about 4 months to go til the big day.

    I didn't want to be rude, but I <strong>really</strong> didn't want my friend to pay this extra money.

    Thanks :) Now that it's being altered for free, I'm not stressed anymore.
  • maddynamitemaddynamite member
    10 Comments
    edited March 2013
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_bridesmaid-dress-snafu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:9d08fa97-3089-49ee-a404-4f77ddf22fb1Post:442cca68-ce0a-4150-b85c-1a638a004223">Re: Bridesmaid dress snafu</a>:
    [QUOTE]You weren't in the wrong, but I wouldn't blame them for initially giving you a cost. 1) It's their job to upsell (have you ever been to Jiffy Lube!) and 2) It wasn't technically their fault for the manufacturer's slip-up. Hopefully you got their names! Were they totally rude about it? You are right, helping a customer is very important for a retail business. Once the dress is altered, I'd send a thank you card and write a good online review about how they were accomodating after their manufacturer screwed up. Reviews can be worth their virtual weight in gold.  BUT, if they WERE totally rude, I'd skip the ty and review.
    Posted by sydaries[/QUOTE]

    Yeah, I understand their point of view, but it just seemed wrong to have her pay for a mistake that we did not make.

    They were rude, but not to the point where I had to scream at them or walk out of the store. I wouldn't recommend this place, so I think I'll just write them a thank you.

    Thanks for the idea!
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